Gear -- 6 days ago
Words: Charlie Thomas
The idea of the compact SUV has never particularly appealed to us at The Gentleman’s Journal, yet the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA has more than grabbed our attention.
The Mercedes design team is on a roll lately, and this latest creation is a case in point. It’s sleek lines and low stance are anchored by a subtly aggressive aesthetic, which is prevalent in the angled headlights, bonnet bulges and sporty alloy wheels. It’s a relatively compact car, which lends it edgier performance figures over its larger siblings, yet it doesn’t sacrifice on a roomy interior.
Two models are currently in the GLA lineup, the first of which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, with a power output of 208bhp. Things really get interesting though with the GLA45 AMG, which boasts a hand-tuned version of the same engine. With 355bhp and 332lb-ft of torque, it can reach 60mph from standstill in just 4.8 seconds. This is supercar-baitingly fast, although we should expect nothing less from AMG by now.
Inside, the Mercedes GLA is every bit as luxurious as you might imagine. The driver is doused with opulence – the electric seat can even adjust in 14 ways. A freestanding 5.8-inch touchscreen display dominates the dashboard, giving you access to all manner of multimedia and important real-time information on the car. Mercedes’ numerous options will of course be available, so you could spec it out in walnut, aluminium or carbon fibre.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA costs from £25,850. For more information, visit Mercedes’ website by clicking here. The AMG model is not yet available in the UK.
